Close to my Heart

Park It

We have so far had a most lovely Victoria Day long weekend here.  Seems like nice weather on a long weekend rarely go together, which somehow makes this one even nicer. 

Last summer, Joe decided to make a fish pond, something he has wanted to do for a long time.  Well the fish pond blossomed into our own private park like setting, including cement walkways, and at my request, a cement patio where I can enjoy the fresh air, listen to my ipod, and play with fiber.  This weekend was the first weekend we've really been able to enjoy our "park," since it was pretty much fall by the time it was completed last year.  I think it will give us lots of enjoyment this summer, and it feels like we have really increased our living space as well.  I thought I would share some pictures with you today:

And over on the patio from my new favourite knitting spot, my current somewhat neglected sock WIP enjoys the pond:

I've joined the and I think this will be a great summer sock knitting spot.  Hopefully the combination of the KAL and a great new knitting spot will bring my sock knitting mojo back.  I've only completed one pair so far in 2008, when normally I knit a pair of month.  But lets face it, what with paper crafting and my recent spinning obsession, knitting overall has suffered a lot in 2008.

Another good thing about our Park is that since it is fenced, the kitties can enjoy it.  Normally our cats stay indoors (our street is too busy)however they can now enjoy the great outdoors under our supervision.  They have been a little timid, but overall, really enjoyed it today.  I love this action shot I got of Buttons:

Frisbee was much more timid so I wasn't able to get a good picture of him. Whenever I pointed the camera in his direction, he ran back into the house.  I will keep trying however, because now that Buttons is back on the blog, Frisbee must appear as well!

Going Green

A few weeks ago, I decided that I needed to reduce the number of plastic grocery bags we use.  I have a couple nice commercially produced bags and I've been leaving them in the car to take into the store.  Rather than buy more of these bags, I thought that I might as well use some of my stash yarn to make my own bags.  Here's a few that I've come up with:

Bag 1, 3 and 4 are all crocheted with the same pattern (Ravelry link here).  The pink bag is actually knit, using this pattern.  Of course the knitted bag took substantially longer to make, so I am now sticking to crocheting these market bags.  They work up quickly, and I think would make great gifts.   Of course I've moved on from just using stash yarn and am now purchasing more Bernat Handicrafter Cotton to make more bags.  I think they would make fabulous gifts as well, and actually started one to give to my MIL as part of her Mother's Day gift:

Spinning is continuing as well, and I'm fairly happy with my progress.  My next post will probably be a spinning update.  For now though, I think I want to go work on my Adamas shawl before embarking on last day off chores and errands.

Chocolate

No, none of the yummy kind here, but I DID just finish a Chocolate Marshmallow Easter egg for dessert!

In terms of my wardrobe, I've become quite obsessed with the rich dark chocolate colour.  After all, "they" say it is the new black!  So it's not too surprising that this colour should find it's way into my knitting.  I've just recently cast on two new items in this rich yummy colour. 

First, the Norwegian Woods Shawl:

Unfortunately, the combination of dark thin lace weight yarn and my aging eyes means that I can only knit on this during daylight hours.   This is a beautiful new pattern from Sivia Harding, which is probably going to take me a lot longer to knit than I would like!  Yarn is Elann Peruvian Baby Lace Merino.                         

Fortunately, the other chocolate project is much easier on my eyes:

These are Grumperina's Roza Socks (Ravelry Link).  Yarn is Elann Sock it to me 4 ply. 

Both of these Elann yarns made for very reasonably priced projects, and so far, I'm liking both yarns.

Well this evening is going much quicker than I realized, and I need to go knit now.  Hope your week is going well.  I'm happy to have a short one, due to the Good Friday holiday.  Bye!

WIP Wednesday

A rare mid week post from me.  I really DO miss blogging more frequently than I have been lately.  Anyhow, I have some WIPs I want to show you today.  First, a baby sweater, which I'm knitting for a co-worker having her baby boy this morning via scheduled c-section:

Since taking this picture, I've completed the body of this sweater.  The yarn I'm using is Berroco Comfort DK (linking its Ravelry page).  I'm really loving this yarn.  It's a tiny bit splitty, but is knitting up into such a soft fabric that I don't mind one bit.  The pattern is Lisa's Essential Baby Cardigan pattern, which you can purchase here.   It's a great pattern, knit top down with directions for different yarn gauges.  I know that I will get lots of use from this pattern.

And finally, my current sock WIP:

Mmmm Koigu, I'd forgotten how wonderful this yarn is to knit with!  I've started the second sock, and am hoping to make good progress, if not complete these socks, while attending a conference in Vancouver at the end of this week.

Okay, gotta run, have a great day everyone!

A lovely three day weekend is now coming to a close.  I was hoping that I'd have a finished Mr. Greenjeans to show you, however the button that I was waiting for didn't arrive until today.  And this afternoon I had other distractions to keep me busy, and tonight was skating.  Tomorrow I'm off for a one night business trip and it's much too bulky to take along.  Hopefully by this time Wednesday night it will be all done though.

Most of my crafting time this weekend was spent making cards.  They are for some family birthdays in February, so I will wait until the occasions have passed to show you them here.  Today I had a new Bella to play with.  I love all the great stamps from Stamping Bella, and I think my newest stamp, savvyshoppabella  might be my favourite yet.  Here's the card I made with her:

I made three of these, cause I really want to have a stash of cards available when I need them.  I may also list one on Etsy, haven't decided yet.

I did do a small amount of knitting this weekend.  I finished one Mountain Colours Sock.

I knit this sock toe up, using the  Flegal Heel that Bliss posted about a while ago.  Unfortunately, after finishing, I decided that the heel is too baggy.  It might also be because this yarn seems a little thicker than most fingering weight yarn.  I'm contemplating ripping back to the heel and doing a short row heel, or ripping the entire sock and knitting it on fewer stitches.  The sock is in time out until I decide.

FInally, I just have to show you one of my latest Etsy purchases:

I just started using this bag on Saturday, and have already received several complements on it.  It's a functional lightweight bag that holds a lot, including my big work daytimer and notebook.  And it enables me to shop hands free too, which I always like.  Check out Kitty Empire to see more of these bags and accessories.

Well I'd best wind down and get to sleep, back to work tomorrow.  Hopefully my next post will be of the finished Mr. Greenjeans.

Not a year in review...

Well,  I had great plans to write a year in review type post here, but that just isn't going to happen.  I also had great plans to blog more while I was on vacation.  I return to work tomorrow, and obviously that never happened either.  I will say that 2007 proved to be a year where the majority of  my knitting seemed to consist only of socks.  My Gallery (see sidebar) is hopelessly out of date (was hoping to remedy that while on vacation too....never happened. I'm thinking that I won't create a new Gallery for 2008 but will just list my projects over on Ravelry) but I know that I haven't completed any new garments since it was last updated.  So, in 2007 I knit only two sweaters (malabrigo top down cardi and the pinwheel), two shawls (one still needs to be blocked) knit one bag, crocheted two bags, as well as lots of socks. I will always have socks on the needles, but really want to accomplish more than that in the New Year.

My first Finished Object in 2008 will likely be Mr Greenjeans:

Unfortunately, this sweater isn't as close to being done as it would appear in this picture.  I'm going to frog back to about two inches above where the cable rib pattern begins, as it is too low on my body.  I was initially going to leave it, but know I will enjoy this sweater more if it fits properly.  I've really been enjoying the cable rib pattern (it knits up much quicker than I thought it would thanks to cabling without a cable needle) so I really can't complain.  Maybe I am a process knitter after all?

2007 was also the year that I got into papercrafting and started my Etsy store.  It's been a lot of fun, gives my hands a break (since I do have some carpal tunnel like symptoms), and I've met an awesome group of fellow Canadian Etsians in the forums.  I also enjoy having a Finished Object in much less time than while knitting or crocheting.  Here's one of my last card creations for 2007, again using a Stamping Bella stamp. 

I made three of these cards as a thank-you to some awesome friends who supported me in my journey to a promotion at work.  I chose this particular stamp as we had recently enjoyed a day at the spa together, which ended with a soak and a clay scrub.

More camaraderie was enjoyed through knitting events such as retreats and fiber festivals.  I met lots of fellow knit bloggers for the first time this year, including Peg, Lisa, Raven, Michelle, Shannon (just yesterday, finally, even though she lives only a kilometer or two away from me), and even the Yarn Harlot herself.  I also enjoyed continuing friendships with Shelley and Uli.

I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I do have hopes for the 2008.  I want to spin more, I haven't touched my spindle for a couple months at least.  Was also planning to do that during Christmas vacation....  I will start Kauni as soon as Mr. Greenjeans is off the needles (really!).  I want to add more pages to my scrapbook and not just make cards.  And of course I need to eat healthier, exercise more, and loose some weight.  And I look forward to some interesting challenges ahead at work as I start my new position on January 7th.

Hmmmm, looks like I just wrote an end of year post, how'd that happen?  I wish each of you New Year filled whatever makes you happy!

Another week passed

Already over a week since my last post, where does the time go?  I'm coming off a lovely four day weekend, but still never got around to posting.  I did however get around to knitting.  I've made good progress on the Leaf Lace Shawl, and after I finish the current pattern repeat (four more rows) I'll start the edging.  I'm hoping to finish her this weekend. 

My Christmas knitting this year is socks, socks, and more socks.  I'm hoping to complete four or five pair to gift.  Here's the first in progress, doesn't it go well with my new project bag:

Yarn is Online Supersocke City Colour 921.  Since taking this picture, I've turned the heel and completed the gusset decreases on both socks.  I'm hoping to knit to the toe decreases on at least one of the socks at the skating club executive meeting tonight.

This past weekend also found me in a yarn store I've only visited only once before.  I discovered that their old stock Fleece Artist was on sale for 30% off.  After resisting the lure of seasilk for some time, I could finally justify bringing two hanks home:

Not sure yet what pretty lacy item these skeins will become.  Next on the needles though will be another luxury purchase, pure cashmere!

This was purchased during a recent trip to Fun Knits.  Shelley has designed a shop pattern for a lacy scarf, and I really want to get it on the needles.  It will go perfectly with my new fall rain jacket, and I'm sure will help keep me warm during the damp rainy days we've been having here on the Wet Coast.

A Winner, a WIP and some Cuteness

I'm pleased to announce that the winner of my contest was Lissette, who blogs at Crafty Girly.  Her name was picked using a tool found at Random.org.  Lissette tells me that she never wins anything, so I'm happy to have drawn her name.  Her package is on it's way to Florida, sure hope she likes it.  I had fun looking around her blog getting an idea about her tastes.

In other news....an unanticipated busy weekend meant that Kauni never got started, in fact, minimal knitting occurred.  I ended up assisting one of my friends with childcare, so did get some sock knitting done at a soccer game on Saturday, and Sunday I didn't pick up the needles until the evening.  I worked a bit on the Leaf Lace Shawl, which I am really enjoying.  It's fairly simple lace (I'm somewhat reluctant to say that since I now may screw things up royally) and I think yields a very pretty result.  I'm tempted to work on nothing but this, but the deadline for the Red Scarf Project is rapidly approaching so I really must pay some attention to that.  I also need to finish my September socks for the Sock a Month KAL 4. I think this is the third one of these I've participated in, and I really do like the goal of a pair of socks a month.  Anyhow, I digress, here's a picture of the Leaf Lace Shawl in progress:

Yarn is Sweatermaker Lace Weight Yarn purchased some time ago at Fun Knits.  I've been saving this a while now, feeling that it would be a great Fall shawl to knit using this leafy pattern.  I think I will call it my Autumn Leaves Shawl.

And finally, I leave you with pure cuteness:

Progress

Thanks to everyone for the entries in my contest.  Be sure to keep them coming, I won't be making the draw until this coming weekend.  I'm pleased to report that the room organization went extremely well.  I really wanted to purge a lot , and purge I did!  I've kind of lost track, but I believe I took six carloads to the thrift store (although a small amount was from the kitchen), some to recycling, and some is waiting to be picked up at the curb on garbage day.  I really wish that I had taken a before picture, but I was too embarrassed to show anyone.  Now that I have something that looks good, it would have been nice to show the contrast.  Now the trick is to keep it all nice and organized, so please submit any tips on how to do that to the contest post.  I am not about to stop this organizational kick, the rest of the house, although not needing it quite to the scale that The Room did, still could use some major purging.  I have already started on the kitchen, and am really hoping to spend a few hours on this every weekend.  In case you were wondering, the impetus to doing this came from my sister.  She and her husband recently moved to the city, and went from a huge house to a small condo.  They apparently got rid of 75 % of their stuff, and their small condo looks great.  I figure if her condo can be that way, then so can my house.  I think I've made a good start.

All work and no play is however no fun.  The last couple days, I've had a chance to play with the ol' fiber again.  I've done some spinning (after not touching it for a couple weeks)and can really see the importance of more regular practice.  I did however finish spinning the fiber that I bought from Copperpot a while back.  Here it is drying outside today:

I was a little disappointed to see the yarn twisting a bit a the bottom, I thought I had done a better job of pulling it taut around the niddy noddy.

There also has been some knitting.  Here's my current Sock WIP:

I just turned the heel this afternoon, so it's now ready to become my current  Purse Knitting, as Raven so aptly calls it.  Yarn is Panda Cotton.

And here's another WIP, the Corrugator Scarf (link to free PDF file pattern can be found in the sidebar here):

The yarn I'm using is some handspun purchased at our local Farmer's Market a few years ago.  I came across it during The Room organization.  I thought it would be perfect for the Red Scarf Project, and then noticed that the deadline is earlier this year, so figured I'd better get to it.  The yarn itself appears to be fingering weight, and after a couple false starts, I decided it was best to knit two strands held together.  The only downside of that is that it is not conducive to purse knitting, hence the necessity for the sock.

I was noticing in my sidebar today that I have THREE scarves on the needles.  Not sure how that happened, since I don't really like knitting the things!  One has been hibernating for some time while the other was simply something to knit with my own handspun.  This one has a deadline and a cause so hopefully I will get it done quickly.  For some reason though, I feel the need to cast on for something else, I'm thinking lace, since I now have a neat craft room that will be perfect for blocking.  And I think that this coming weekend I am FINALLY going to cast on for Kauni, which is definitely something to look forward to!

Happy Birthday Joe

Today is my sweetheart's birthday, and here's the card I made him:

I find guy cards a lot more difficult to embellish, for girls it's easy to add flowers, ribbon, etc.  This Fella does however suit Joe.

I'm leaning towards posting my papercraft items here, since it seems kind of silly to maintain two blogs and no one reads the other one anyway.  Does this sound like an okay plan?

In fiber related news....I wanted to submit a crochet bag to the Summer Kal Cal, and after a quick search on Ravelry, found this pattern for the Oh so cute bag, which called for Patons SWS already in my stash.  Here it is before felting:

Fingers crossed that I'll be happy with the felted results!  It's in the machine as I type.

Edited to add:  The Oh So Cute Bag felted wonderfully, and is, well, cute!  So cute that I'm seriously contemplating heading out to get more yarn in a different colourway to make another to have on hand for gift giving.  Felted picture coming soon, it's currently drying full of plastic bags to shape.